The recent Charities Act, in response to the Law Commission’s review, received Royal Assent in February and is now in place. However, it is proposed that this will take the next 18 months for the Charity Commission and Government to implement through secondary legislation/regulations. The new Act updates and amends the Charities Act 2011 and there are many aspects that will affect independent churches and other charities, including:
- Allowing trustees to be paid for services to the charity;
- Making CIOs and charitable companies trust corporations to be able to hold trusteeships of church properties;
- Allowing more flexibility on changing the governance of charities; and
- Making the process of granting leases and selling property easier.
Church Growth Trust has produced a briefing paper giving the details of these changes and this can be viewed here. A summary of the changes can be found here.
For more information on the above please contact Giles Arnold at Church Growth Trust on 01536 647164 or email on giles.arnold@churchgrowth.org.uk.
